2023 Best Public High Schools in Union County

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  143 reviews

Senior: Magnet is a school that is very near and dear to me. Throughout my time here, I have made many friends that I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life. I relish the opportunity to interact with so many intelligent people and feel that the culture is one that stimulates growth and improvement. The teachers are above average and it feels like they truly care about their students. I would highly recommend any students in the Union County area to apply to Magnet. It will absolutely be worth it.... Read 143 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 297

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  121 reviews

Senior: The Academy for Information Technology is a great school to attend if you are pursuing a business/information technology path as a career. You have focused vocational classes teaching business to programming languages like Java. However, the school does not provide the greatest of technological resources. Students only have Chromebooks and Desktops at the school often have their issues which makes it hard to use. Funding dedication in this area isn't the greatest. The counselors help you every step along the way in assisting your application up to college. The food here is average, not the greatest but there are secondary choices always such as hamburgers aside from the main lunch.... Read 121 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 284

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  132 reviews

Freshman: I love this school! I love having the opportunity to take a class specifically involving health sciences and learning more about my future career before college. This school has great a great environment and has a great curriculum. The learning experience is amazing and I feel like I learn a lot more than any of the other schools I have been. The teachers are great and even now in a virtual environment, they are trying their best to teach and be supportive of the students. I also love how this school has many amazing clubs and student life experiences. They give students a chance to try out different activities and hobbies with clubs as well as get to know more about each other. This school has many diverse students because they accept students from all over the county. It's great if you want to get to know about other cultures and interact with different people. Overall this school is amazing and I'm completely enjoying my experience, even as an online student.... Read 132 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  252 reviews

Parent: This school is amazing. Great academics, teachers are wonderful, administrators are caring and supportive of the students. This school is very diverse due to students coming from 21 districts within the county. There are no sports-students must go back to their home district for those, however, there are many clubs, Honor Society and philanthropic opportunities. Students get the opportunity to follow future career paths while excelling in academics. Seniors in UC Tech and Academy for Performing Arts get dual enrolled at Kean University and get to spend their senior year experiencing college and gaining college credits. My daughter is so happy here!... Read 252 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 18

• Student-teacher ratio 1:1

• Summit Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  162 reviews

Alum: Good school overall - strong sports and arts programs, good college support and prep, large enough population with plenty of subgroups to switch between if you get bored/cast out of one. Lots of languages and language levels to choose from and the honors/AP programs are well developed. However, the STEM clubs and hands-on aspects of the STEM fields are very lacking in funding, advisors, and participation (or non-existent). Expect to have to pull the entire weight of the club funding, as we had to do with the robotics and chess clubs. The administrators are hardasses sometimes and don't understand humor or teen culture well, they take things too seriously sometimes. If you are new to the district and you haven't been in Summit for a while, you'll feel like an outcast a lot of times. It's definitely a community of rich kids who've grown up together for generations. Coming from a poorer immigrant background, you'll notice the difference quickly and so will they. No regrets though.... Read 162 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,152

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Westfield Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  267 reviews

Alum: Absolutely phenomenal education! I always felt that my teachers cared about me--even when the work was beyond grueling. I went into the high school timid and nervous, but left confident and WELL-prepared for college. Even throughout college, I felt some assignments too easy, as the high school had prepared me for much more challenging tasks. Can't say enough nice things about the teachers I had there, as well!... Read 267 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,864

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• New Providence School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  91 reviews

Sophomore: New Providence has always and will always be home to me, and the school system is the very thing in our small town that makes me want to someday come back with children of my own. My experience at New Providence High School so far has been nothing but exceptional. My teachers care about more than just the grade book, rather how well synthesized their lesson was among their class. The staff facilitates a sense of school pride and are exuberant to teach eager students each and every morning. While it usually goes unnoticed, the campus is always spotless by the time students walk into school in the morning, a big kudos to our friendly and integral janitorial staff. Finally, at NPHS, each graduating class sets a precedent for the ones to follow, fostered by our excellent administrative staff, which keeps every student dedicated to excellence. I’m involved in so many different groups at NPHS, and I’m just as passionate about them as I was entering freshman year. NPHS is a special place.... Read 91 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 643

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  88 reviews

Senior: Such a fun school with lots of activities. It is a close knitted community and everyone feels like a family. The teachers and counselors are absolutely amazing and want to make sure each student is the best that they can be. As students, we get real world and professional experience with the performing arts, guest speakers, performers, dancers, writers, come into our school all the time to talk to us about their experiences. All students take honors classes and are academically challenged in a good way. Attending this school makes me stand out because of my experiences and I am so grateful to be apart of the APA family.... Read 88 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 226

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  271 reviews

Alum: I have nothing but genuine love for Spiffy High! I enjoyed my time while I was student, but it was only after I went to college that I came to appreciate just how special of place it really was. The academics (AP classes & Honors) made my transition to college a breeze: SPFHS teachers actually teach you how to critically think, manage time and move through the real-world. Many of my HS classes were more rigorous than college - I got a STELLAR education at SPFHS and remember many teachers fondly. It was also a lovely place to be - so many clubs, interests, kind people. There wasn't this overwhelming sense of competition like at other "better" schools -- there was level of support and push to find and do what makes you happy. As we watch people struggle with common sense these days, I doubt any of my fellow 09 classmates are believing crazy conspiracies or struggling to understand racial injustices. We were all taught kindness, common sense, respect and character.... Read 271 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,549

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Junior: The teachers and staff at UcTech have been wonderfully welcoming since I first joined the class of 2024. The teachers are extremely helpful and all of them have great levels of professionalism, while also allowing the students to express their own creativity. There is a lot that the school offers for the students, including a number of clubs and electives. There are many events run by some of the staff and students of UcTech/UCVTS. Overall I have enjoyed my years here and hope to enjoy these last two. The friends I have made here are everlasting as well.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 498

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Berkeley Heights Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  179 reviews

Alum: Generally speaking, the coursework is overall rigorous and there is an abundance of elective classes to choose from. A good majority of students apply to above average universities and get admitted. Few go to community college. But GL is known for having racist and discriminatory teachers & faculty… and nothing has yet to be done about it. The school is made up of mostly white people & the few people of color are often ostracized. There is little to no school spirit because the sports suck. It is a small and gossipy school as well. The only perks are that seniors get to leave for lunch and study hall as well as have their own spot for parking in the back lot (which is something not a lot of high schools have). And the students all get iPads as well. Other than that, there‘s nothing fantastic about this school besides the academics.... Read 179 reviews

• grade A

• Students 960

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Cranford Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  180 reviews

Senior: Cranford High School is a school that offers a wide range of interests. People are not strictly designated to be one person, which is due to the school's wide range of course selections, clubs, activities, and academic societies. You can choose who you really want to be here and that's what I really appreciate. The STEM department is definitely lacking, there is no diversity, and the building itself is frighteningly old with traces of toxic chemicals/materials in the walls. There needs to be a serious update to the staff in the STEM department along with a remodel of the decrepit building. The cafeteria food is also pretty poor but that's more of a larger system problem with the US education system in general. Teachers can range in skill levels and likable personalities, but there definitely exists some teachers that are underqualified to teach or teachers that have absolutely no character. Overall though, the school is an enjoyable environment that still requires some reform!... Read 180 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,172

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Elizabeth Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  392 reviews

Alum: Elizabeth High School provides its students with the best teachers and learning material in order for its students to succeed. They prepare students for college and provide help when it comes to college application process. They support the arts and their athletic teams. However, the one thing I would change is the amount of security that are around the school areas. Elizabeth is known to be a high crime alert city and students should feel safe around the place in which they learn and express themselves.... Read 392 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,206

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Springfield Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  133 reviews

Alum: Despite having mixed opinions about Jonathan Dayton High School, my experience there was mostly positive. Most teachers can teach engaging lessons and treat everyone fairly. They have done an outstanding job guiding and helping their students, especially during the pandemic. JDHS offers various AP courses and electives, such as dance and yoga. There are also several sports students can select from in the fall, winter, and spring. The school has plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in, including Gay/Straight Alliance, Concert Band, Medical Careers Club, Model UN, and the Dawg Print. Lastly, JDHS provides a MacBook Air to every student and teacher for the year.... Read 133 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 620

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Roselle Park Board of Education, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  122 reviews

Senior: Alarm beeping at 6:15am, rushing out of bed and getting ready to be at school for 7:15am. I would have to say my general rating on Roselle Park High School was a good experience even though sometimes the teachers weren’t the greatest in certain lessons. Then there was covid which made it hard to keep up since everything was online. Even though there were all these cons, every now and then I would say the pros outweigh the cons. I have met some amazing teachers that taught me a lot and would say they have impacted me as a person. Another thing that I would like to say is that I have to thank Roselle Park High School for their architecture program. Without it I, would have never learned my love for architecture. I have joined my school's zero period where I get to compete in a group architecture competition which I would say is hard at times, but I still love it. In the end I would never trade my time at Roselle Park High School for anything else, it was a lovely experience.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 609

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Township of Union School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.44 out of 5  498 reviews

Junior: I had amazing teachers throughout my high school experience, however I felt as if there was no incentive to continue doing work. While my teachers were all kind, most of them waited until the last day of the marking period to submit grades. This made it hard to keep track on how well I am doing in class, and make it hard to raise my grade. This really affected my motivation because I had no way of knowing how well I was doing in school. I think the school is very safe and I never had any issue with safety any time in or around the school. I never had any problems with other students or any of the staff either. The counselors are amazing as they are there with you step by step during your high school career and college planning process!... Read 498 reviews

• grade B

• Students 2,182

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Elizabeth Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  205 reviews

Junior: I love the school. Sometimes the work and Cornell notes can be a little overwhelming, but that’s what comes with a High School designed to prepare you for college! Overall, amazing school and I’m looking forward to graduating here as well.... Read 205 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,000

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Elizabeth Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Senior: I switched from Cicarell to Bollwage and the difference was amazing. Not only is this the best academy in Elizabeth, but it's more laid off compared to Cicarell. I am happy I got a transfer to here! The AP classes are more easier and more credits for a better chance in colleges than Cicarell plus here you get a NAF degree.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 364

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Clark Township Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  115 reviews

Senior: Arthur L. Johnson High School strives to improve the experience of every high school student that walks through their door. From my freshman year to my senior year, Johnson has gone through many different improvements for the better. Most teachers are willing to meet at any time to go over questions and worksheets with you. The peer tutoring program implemented by the National Honor Society is another good resource along with the peer leadership program that pairs freshmen up with seniors. The guidance office is one of the best places for any questions. The counselors are willing to do anything to help with college applications, scholarships, and everything to do with your future. There are many AP courses to choose from as well as a few dual enrollment courses. After school activities include many many Varsity, JV, and a few freshmen sports teams. There are clubs for pretty much everyone as well. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars, is because there's always room for improvement.... Read 115 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 713

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Linden Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  304 reviews

Senior: My experience at Linden High School has been great. There is a lot diversity and it gives everyone an opportunity to learn about different cultures. The academic curriculum has been excellent. There is always a class that suits everyone's academic level. The IB curriculum has been excellent as well as it challanges and gives the student to achieve his or her full potential and succeed in college. One great aspect about LHS is the vast number of after school activities and sports available to students. There is always something a student can participate in that they are good at. The guidance counselors and teachers are very helpful, and they want every student to succeed. My experience at LHS has been amazing!... Read 304 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,729

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Rahway Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  167 reviews

Senior: My experience at Rahway High school has been a swell one. There are so many activities and clubs within the school, allowing so much inclusivity to take place. There's also never a dull moment, with there being events or fundraising ideas taking place. I also enjoy how much they're actually putting towards taking care of students' mental and physical health. However, our school isn't perfect, and that's okay! If I can change a few things I would first change the three minutes in between class periods, because students don't even have time to go to our lockers in between classes. Also, I would like for our arts department to get better funding.... Read 167 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,124

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Kenilworth School District, NJ•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  112 reviews

Alum: David Brearley Middle/ High School is a great school. The teachers there are awesome, with an exception of a few. The teachers care about their students and make learning fun. The art department is excellent! From ceramics to photography! There is an AMAZING courtyard that was decorated in mosaic tiles by the students and when there is nice weather we can sit out there and have lunch. The hallways are also decorated with mosaic tiles and where done by the students. Overall, I had a great experience at this school.... Read 112 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 775

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Plainfield Public Schools, NJ•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  65 reviews

Senior: During my six years at Plainfield Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies, there have been many struggles, especially with my education. Not only did my grades skyrocket at this school, my social life has also grown, and I have improved and become a better person. There were many occasions when I thought I should probably change schools, but it seemed like the school pulled me back in, and I was more confident than before. This school has been through my puberty stages and challenges, but I grew through the people I have met here and the teachers. It feels nice to see still teachers I have seen for so long tell me that "you've changed or you've grown up so fast." I love this school because it has built many memories for me and allowed me to become a better educated and social person.... Read 65 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 414

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Elizabeth Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  138 reviews

Senior: My experience at Jefferson is positive. I’ve had great teachers who’ve taught me life skills offered support, and aided me in preparing for college; Such as providing me with information on schools, scholarships, and essays. This has eased my anxieties about going to college and motivated me to continue excelling in my academics. While focusing on academics I also participated in several clubs and activities; I learned how to properly manage my time. The school also has great resources for support such as the YES program and a social worker, each being available for students. The YES program offers counseling, group counseling, and opportunities for community service. Our social worker made himself available every week offering a group coloring session in which students could use that time to relax and gain support.... Read 138 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 1,101

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Plainfield, NJ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.12 out of 5  43 reviews

Senior: I like how the teachers and students are all friendly. I feel that the teachers truly want to see the students succeed and it's always been like that. I have been at the school since kindergarten and me being a senior now is truly amazing. With everything going on in the world, it is a blessing that I am even able to finish out my senior year. My school even offers dual enrollment, so I am eligible to get more credits in college, so I am already a step ahead in the game! UC TEAMS is amazing, small school but everyone is close and I love that it makes me feel at home!... Read 43 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 400

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1